Structurally-based electrical predictors of atrial arrhythmias

Mechanisms of atrial tachycardias (AT) can be defined as reentrant (micro- or macro-) or focal (automatic or triggered) once the rhythm is expressed. However, in the absence of typical atrial flutter or inducible arrhythmia, it is difficult to predict the location or substrates for atrial arrhythmias. This is distinct from VT, in which low voltage channels in sinus rhythm and other predictors may help in identification [1]. ATs provide some hints, however, such as the fact that up to 40% of ATs after prior ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) are due to microreentry [2], which requires areas of slow conduction which often arise at sites of scar in patients with atrial arrhythmias [3].
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research